Dumb It Down For David
October 5th, 2016
Remember, eye-RAH’s columns appear Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his podcasts pop Tuesdays and Thursdays.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Somebody has to step up for the Bucs under the bright lights of Monday Night Football, and I have the perfect guy in mind.
No, this isn’t about a 22-year-old quarterback who suddenly finds himself under siege after a poor performance against one of the NFL’s elite defenses. Jameis Winston is still learning what he can and cannot get away with on the pro level, so let’s not make him a scapegoat for all of Tampa Bay’s myriad shortcomings.
I’m looking at No. 54, the fifth-year linebacker in the prime of his career, to lead the way if the Bucs are to avoid a 1-4 start at the bye week.
Why has Lavonte David’s production waned?
Lavonte David has been decent enough through four weeks, but the Bucs didn’t sign him to an extension through 2020 — $25 million guaranteed — to be decent.
They wrote a big check to a big-time defender, but David hasn’t been an impact player in quite awhile.
Maybe he spoiled us with that spectacular 2013 season, when he registered seven sacks and five interceptions for Greg Schiano.
That was the year the Bucs finished 21st in points allowed, which doesn’t seem like much to brag about except that since they have ranked 25th, 26th and currently 31ss in the most important defensive category.
The second-most important defensive category is takeaways, and the Bucs are lagging there, too, forcing only two turnovers through four games. The bottom four teams in takeaways — the Giants, Lions, Bucs and Jets — are a combined 5-11 and none of those four boasts a winning record.
Since that breakthrough 2013 season, David has three interceptions and five sacks in 34 games. It doesn’t help that he’s playing for his third defensive coordinator in five years, but Mike Smith was supposed to put him in positions to be a game-changer.
It’s not happening.
Even David’s tackles are way off his usual standard. He increased his number of stops every season through his first four years — going from 139 to 147 — but he’s sitting at 20 tackles through four games.
That’s third on the team behind Kwon Alexander and Chris Conte, and only two more stops than defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.
Something’s wrong.
With Gerald McCoy’s status uncertain for the Carolina game, David’s leadership qualities are even more critical.
“I have to carry myself in a certain way,” he said during training camp. “I noticed if I’m down, certain guys might be down. If I’m up, everybody’s up. I look at things like that, just try to stay positive as much as I can and keep my energy level high.”
Time for Mike Smith to make David-focused adjustments
David was invisible at Arizona, then rebounded with a solid game against the Rams. But the fact remains he has one sack and one forced fumble all season while Alexander has posted Tampa Bay’s lone interception.
“Lavonte has great football intelligence,” Smith said in August. Now it’s time to dumb down Tampa Bay’s defensive scheme and free David up to make plays all over the field.
The Panthers have beaten the Bucs in each of the last six matchups and the loser of this game is in serious trouble. If the Bucs spring an upset, that 2-3 mark won’t look too bad at the break, especially considering an easier schedule is on the horizon.
The last time David played in Charlotte, he finished with 12 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a sack in the 2015 season finale. The Bucs were drubbed 38-10 to close the year with a 4-game losing streak that cost Lovie Smith his job, but David was exceptional that afternoon.
Jon Gruden can’t wait to extol David’s versatile skills from the ESPN broadcast booth, but No. 54 has to give him a reason to gush. David’s a leader. His resumé says so, and so does his paycheck.
It’s time to prove it.
October 5th, 2016 at 7:15 pm
David has turned into an average player on a bad defense.
Where is the fire in the bellies of the “star” players?
If you listened to the network announcers for the Denver game there were several times they commented how unmotivated the players were. I personally see a defense that doesn’t like to hit. There is a lack of aggression. Vernon Hargreaves is a great tackler.
The biggest disappointment over the last 4 or 5 years is how bad the Bucs are as a home team. They need to change that quickly. Their fan base expects them to be at their best at home and they are actually worse than on the road. What’s going on when they play in Tampa?
David has to do more than just finish up tackles on running backs, his salary pays him to be a dominant NFL player at his position. Not happening.
October 5th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Ira i think what your saying might have some merit to it.
It’s easy to say something like that but do you have anything to back up what your saying.
How do you know that he’s being asked to do anything more then he was doing before.
Can you give an example of what your talking about. Or are teams just paying more attention to him.
October 5th, 2016 at 7:52 pm
The defense as a whole has no identity. We aren’t physical, we aren’t fast, we don’t confuse QBs, we don’t play sound fundamentals and it shows. All the players are waiting for somebody to make a play. Nobody is looking to be the one to make a play. It’s extremely frustrating to watch.
October 5th, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Good piece Ira, and I too want to see Lavonte be more of a factor in games. But maybe other teams are taking a lesson from the Cardinals … they really shut him down. Worse thing he can do in my opinion is try to compensate for the other team’s game-planning against him by pressing and trying to do too much. That hurt him when Kwon came on-board as I remember. I think the major problem is that the Bucs have some very prominent weaknesses right now on defense (OK, and on offense) that are causing other teams to focus in those directions and away from David.
October 5th, 2016 at 8:25 pm
Man, with all of the hype and this new coaching staff, I did think our Defense would take it up a notch or 2. So far, its not happening. The one thing I’m noticing is..We don’t seem to have that..Kick A..Spark we need on Defense. I don’t see us hittin hard until like the 4th qtr. And it seems our pass rush thus far is not getting there to the point the opposing QB is flustered and confused.
Look, Carolina will be mad and Riverboat Ron is going to have them fired up at home. We will not catch them sleepin come Mon night. We are gonna have to take their best shot and volley back. I’m just not confident we can do it. Jameis has got to match Cams TD’s cause Cam is running and throwing all over the place. 2-3 sounds nice. But our Bucs gotta make it happen. National TV spotlights are on. Lets see if we respond. I’ll be watching…….
October 5th, 2016 at 8:49 pm
While you’re at it Ira, you can have them dumb it down for Grimes, Conte, McDougald and Verner also….
And, yes…you could smarten it up a bit for Jameis.
October 5th, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Ed
Completely wrong “…see a defense that doesn’t like to hit..”
Kwon, LVD, Smith
VH and Grimes
The entire D line
They all like to hit.
What I see is this – they are learning a new defense and they need another DE and desperately need safety help
October 5th, 2016 at 11:03 pm
David has been very average outside of his first two seasons in the league. Could be because of the passive schemes of both of the Smiths or maybe GMC’s soft attitude has caught onto everyone else on the d
October 5th, 2016 at 11:05 pm
I disagree. His tackles and so called stats are down cuz of kwon eating too. Ira is saying this about David is irreverent to me when u have a 100 mil DT on the team and there is absolutely no leadership to win from him. How about thay Mccoy? Hurt again? I don’t remember mccoy having a inspiration game like McDonald did against the Broncos. I’m questioning McCoy roster spot. I’m going there. This piece should of been about him stepping up. With a talent like should make everyone else on the line or complete defense better. I tired of losing w this guy. Don’t tell we need a true elite pass rusher either. That’s a mute point. When I played dt I didn’t chase stats. I chased making everyone better than what they were. I made my oline better. It translated to wins. I’m proud of that
October 5th, 2016 at 11:09 pm
Tampa tony.
Your right McCoy’s soft attitude is weary down on the franchise. Since hes been here. Great talent doesn’t win games but great not as talented strong leaders does. Simple as that
October 5th, 2016 at 11:24 pm
Ira, are you saying they need to dumb it down because of his intelligence? You think David is stupid? Luke Kuechly and the panthers are struggling, should they dumb it down for him…. Ira you are a racist, not that I’m surprised. Should they dumb it down for Winston too? Let’s keep it the same for conte and Humphries right. What a stupid article, how about we dumb it down for you Ira. Oh wait that happened already.
October 5th, 2016 at 11:34 pm
Bucs will never win until the culture is replaced and that is gmc… Gmc is the worst kind of locker room cancer he is a loser with a smile
October 6th, 2016 at 12:26 am
Tmaxcon
Your right. McCoy should be off the team. He is talented but his teammates need him more than any new coach. I thot he was suppose to change his leadership style the next time I hear him say that he could be a dog but jus doesn’t want to I’m going to lose it. We need leaders. String leaders on game day. Not follow my lead leaders that’s seems to be selfish.
October 6th, 2016 at 1:36 am
The Steve Duemeg Show with DB55 on Tampa 2 yesterday was the best breakdown I’ve heard this year. If you didn’t catch it, go listen. Great stuff! Hope the team hears it too.
October 6th, 2016 at 2:30 am
If the offense can sustain drives, score points and stop turning the ball over it will go a long way towards giving more fire to the defense. How can they stay fired up when the offense is screwing them over every chance they get? The defense didn’t play that bad against Denver but the offense dropped a big sh*t on top of their heads on almost every series. That can’t continue.
Jameis is the leader of this team. Everyone sees it and the whole team admits it. So if the leader is playing worse than anyone else on the team, and can’t seem to get his act together on the field, why do you think the rest of the team is somehow going to rise up in his place? It doesn’t work that way. Until Jameis can play well, and play consistently, the rest of the team is going to be floundering around looking for someone to lead. And that’s a poor recipe for success.
October 6th, 2016 at 4:48 am
LVD did say they would be the number 1 defense this year. There’s not a lack of talent on this team. It’s the scheme. Make excuses for David but blame for McCoy.
October 6th, 2016 at 4:57 am
Mike Smith should get back on that school bus-
They should have kept Hardy on board-
Terrible
October 6th, 2016 at 1:12 pm
@I know why Says:
October 5th, 2016 at 11:24 pm
“Ira, are you saying they need to dumb it down because of his intelligence? You think David is stupid? Luke Kuechly and the panthers are struggling, should they dumb it down for him…. Ira you are a racist,…”
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Jesus, get out of here with that stuff. Ira backed up his thoughts with solid reasoning. LVD is not performing in this new defense. How did you make such a jump? If anything it is saying more about you than Ira.
I’m not sure what the concepts are in this defense for LBs. The only LB consistently showing up is Kwon. Daryl Smith is basically a ghost too. That could be due to coverage assignments or the propensity for teams to test our defense up the middle.
Anyone have any idea about the philosophy of this defense, how it is supposed to work, and how it is failing?
October 6th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
The whole team reminds me of Stay Puff Marshmallow Men……….Soft as hell especially the big earners GMC, David and V.Jackson. And lets not forget Dougie he’s played all of what five quarters?
October 7th, 2016 at 11:13 am
Mr Kaufman, I have a question about our defense and Larrys drop off in production.
From what you have seen, could Larrys drop off in production have anything to do with the rise of Kwon? No one has asked this, and I’d love to know where you stand on this. Kwon has been all over the field, and several times in Atlanta and rams Kwon simply got to the ball quicker than larry did.
Thanks